Near Chappell in Deuel County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Historic Lodgepole Creek Valley

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 16, 2016

1. Historic Lodgepole Creek Valley Marker

Inscription. Here is the valley of Lodgepole Creek through which passed historic trails, telegraph lines, and railroads. The famed Pony Express followed the valley in 1860-61. "Nine Mile" Pony Express station was located just southeast of present Chappell; "Pole Creek No. 2" station was a few miles west of here. Near Sidney, the Pony Express trail turned northwestward, passing Mud Springs station and Courthouse Rock en route to the North Platte River. In 1861 the first transcontinental telegraph line was built through the valley. Stagecoaches of the Central Overland Route soon followed, carrying passengers and mail. Former Pony express stations continued to serve the stage line, providing lodging and provisions for travelers. When the tracks of the Union Pacific Railroad reached here in 1867, wagon and stagecoach travel declined. Today modern highways retrace historic trails through the valley. Two miles east is Chappell, at first only a railroad siding. The townsite was surveyed in 1884 and a post office was established two years later. Chappell became the county seat of Deuel County in 1894.

Erected by Deuel County Historical

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Society, Department of Roads and Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 316.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society, and the Pony Express National Historic Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 41° 5.022′ N, 102° 28.261′ W. Marker is near Chappell, Nebraska, in Deuel County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 25A and County Route 165, on the right when traveling north on State Highway 25A. The marker is in the “Chappell Pony Express Park”, with multiple monuments at exit 85 off Interstate 80. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chappell NE 69129, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Nebraska Panhandle.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 16, 2016

2. Historic Lodgepole Creek Valley Marker

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: B-24J Bomber Crash (a few steps from this marker); Yesteryear (approx. 0.6 miles away); Moments in History (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hughes’ Ranch Pony Express Station (approx. 3½ miles away); "Dinky" Locomotive (approx. 9.4 miles away in Colorado); Ovid, Colorado (approx. 9½ miles away in Colorado); See and Do,Off the Byway (approx. 9.6 miles away in Colorado); Prisoners on the Plains / Ride 'Em Cowboy (approx. 9.6 miles away in Colorado). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chappell.

More about this marker. I believe this marker originally stood in a now abandoned rest area at mile 83 of I-80.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 16, 2016

3. Historic Lodgepole Creek Valley Marker

There are multiple markers at this site

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 16, 2016

4. Historic Lodgepole Creek Valley Marker

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 16, 2016

5. Historic Lodgepole Creek Valley Marker

Other markers on the site

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 16, 2016

6. Historic Lodgepole Creek Valley Marker

Adjacent time capsule

Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,141 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on May 14, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 30, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. 5, 6. submitted on December 2, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.